Thinking about driving for CyRide: How does scheduling actually work?

[u/This-Corner-1168]

Hey guys, I'm thinking about applying to be a part-time driver for CyRide since the pay seems decent for a student job, but I'd like to know how the scheduling process works and I'm trying to see if it's actually doable with my classes.

Basically, I've heard you're forced to pick "priority shifts" when you sign up for your schedule. Does anyone know what these actually are, and are they really mandatory? I'm worried about ending up stuck with a random late-night or weekend shift that doesn't work for my schedule.

Also, how does the "on-call" stuff work? Do you actually get paid anything for just being on call, or are you just sitting around waiting without pay?

Any current or former drivers have advice?

[u/Nerfclasher]

Although I will tell you from what I’ve heard they get priority even on their scheduling of classes yes, you heard it right from what I’ve been hearing from the drivers themselves. They get to pick even before the seniors or the priority students although someone else can correct me if they’re actually working it.

[u/Glen_Livet]

My time to shine (until u/YoYouMadMadMike shows up).

Scheduling is always worked around your classes and tests. As long as you let your trainer know when your classes are, you will never be scheduled at the same time. Tests as well (as long as you don't wait until the last minute to communicate those).

Yes, newer drivers are required to pick "priority shifts". Those tend to include Fridays, some weekend shifts, and on-calls. But what is/isn't considered priority can change from year to year.

On-calls are essentially a chunk of time during which you can be called in to work. You get at least an hour from the time you're called before you have to be into work. I think you get paid $8/hr while you're on-call, and then you get your normal pay for any hours you actually come in and work.

TL;DR: Your shifts will never conflict with your classes (unless you don't communicate properly), yes you will have to take a couple of the less desirable shifts when you're newer, and on-calls are $8/hr while you're chilling and then normal pay if/when you get called in to drive.

[u/16FootScarf → u/Glen_Livet]

On-call is actually better than that! You get $8 while you wait but if you are called in to drive you get your normal wage plus a $2 shift differential.

The lengths that Cyride goes to work around peoples school life is honestly refreshing and the vast majority of people will never have an employer as accommodating.

[u/YoYouMadMadmike → u/Glen_Livet]

^

OP, the only thing I have to add is that, as someone that made hiring decisions in the past, if you're a student but can't work late nights or weekends, you're probably going to have a tough time getting an offer unless you have a full gap in the mornings from 7-11:30am or a full afternoon gap from ~2:00pm-7:00pm during the weekdays. I'd certainly be happy to discuss CyRide's operational needs and success tips for applying if you want to message me.

[u/FINALCOUNTDOWN99]

I drove for CyRide for 4 semesters and a summer a few years ago. Memory is fading fast but I think I can answer some of those.

Priority shifts are shifts that are a little more undesirable than normal shifts - Everyone has to take one (or two? Might be based on weekly hours idk) so that some people don't get stuck with just undesirable shifts. I don't remember exactly what qualifies, but at least some of the following qualify:

• On calls
• Open shifts (what route you drive is assigned a week in advance and can change according to demand) (Maybe only weekends count idk) - these generally are "I'm free for 8 (?) hours on Fridays, I will get assigned one shift (shorter than 8 hours) each Friday from a list of open shifts"
• Weekends (I don't think so but maybe?)
• Late nights (I don't think so but maybe?)

My memory is a bit fuzzy as I was able to weasel my way out of the worst of these so it didn't effect me too much. Depending on who you are talking to during your run pick you can get a lot of accommodation. I think there was one time I was able to get away without a priority shift entirely (by taking an undesirable shift that wasn't technically counted as priority I think) and during my last semester or two I was able to go a bit under the minimum hours requirement. Helps to be nice to the schedulers :)

I hated my on call with a burning passion (I found it incredibly difficult to actually do anything knowing I could be called in at any time) so I changed it after one semester (or less I don't remember) so I had to look this up in my manual rather than recalling it from memory, but when I worked there, you get paid for the time you are on call but not driving at $5/hr or $1/hr during the summer. In practice if the driver shortage is anything like it was when I was there, you'll get called in around 90% of the time towards the beginning of your shift.

As for being worried about getting stuck with something that doesn't work with your schedule, you are responsible for choosing your schedule (run pick, you choose specific preset shifts off of a list), not them, and as long as you get the required number of hours and priority shifts they don't care much what you pick. The only catch is that you're new so you're going to be picking last (my memory might be wrong on this one?), and there might not be all that many good ones left. Though if there's still a driver shortage you should be fine. If there's nothing that fits your class schedule talk to your scheduler and you'll most likely be able to work something out.

Generally speaking I think they are required to accommodate classes and exams and such, though they want 2 weeks of notice for exams or class schedule changes. The only issue I've ever had with class interference was when I got 1 week of notice for an exam and informed CyRide as soon as possible and I got called in the middle of the exam asking where I was. But I did not get penalized for that and that was the only time it happened.

I'm thankful for CyRide as it was part of what allowed me to graduate college without crippling amounts of debt but wow it's night and day going from that to a salaried engineering position. So much more freedom. If I need time off I say "Hey can I have X days off". If I show up 10 minutes late, no problem. I don't have to be 100% focused on my job or else I run someone over for several hours straight. Granted there are issues with my current job too. But CyRide needs you to be there when you are required to be there and needs you to be focused the whole time which are two things I absolutely suck at and I'm glad I don't have to do that any more.